Salman Khan's Being Human Foundation has launched a new initiative to provide Affordable Congenital Heart Defect Surgery. The initiative is in partnership with the Fortis Hospital in Mulund.

More than 150 children with heart defects have already been treated successfully at the Fortis. The ‘Fortis Child Heart Mission’, program will not just provide treatment but also focus on educating pregnant mothers through education campaigns and health checkup camps across the state. To start with, health camps will be conducted in Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur and Alibaug and in several smaller towns where medical facilities is out of reach.

Mrs. Alvira Agnihotri, Trustee, Being Human: The Salman Khan Foundation Says “We receive several cases every month of children with congenital heart defects and were on the lookout for the right partner to provide a solution. We are happy to partner with Fortis Hospital Mulund on the “Child Heart Mission” initiative so that children with heart problems get the best possible care.”

Mr Varun Khanna, Regional Director – (West & East) Fortis Healthcare Ltd says “We, at Fortis, are committed to the department to Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, and would like to make a sincere effort to help the children suffering from broken hearts. An average cost of a heart surgery ranges from Rs. 1, 50,000 to Rs. 3, 00,000. We have decided to operate these children and many more at a highly subsidized cost. Many families who have been contacted by us have told us about the hardships they have faced to raise the money for the operation of their children. It is heart wrenching to know that in spite to selling all their belongings; many have not been able to garner even Rs. 50000 for the surgery. Launch of Child Heart Mission will help all those kids, who are awaiting for surgery due to unavailability of funds.”

Dr Vijay Agarwal, Chief Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, Mulund says “There is an acute shortage of good treatment facilities for children with heart defects. 1.2 lakh children are born with severe heart defect every year in India. 70% of heart defect are not diagnose on time or not treated due shortage of funds or good facility. The problem is getting worse in semi-urban and rural areas as families are often unaware of check-ups needed during early stages of pregnancy to detect heart conditions in the unborn child. Our mission is to help ailing children and their families who cannot afford such expensive heart surgeries with the aim that no child goes untreated due to the lack of funds.”

Dr Swati Garekar, Pediatric Cardiologist Says “Families of children with heart ailment suffer due to lack of awareness of the problem. Even after diagnosis, it is hard for the family to put together the money for the surgery as there are often no funds even for a proper living. To top it all, there is no insurance that covers heart defects by birth. Through “CHM”, Fortis Mulund will be able to reach out to several thousands to improve livelihoods of several young children and their families.”

Dr. S Narayani, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Mulund says “At Fortis we want to do our bit to help the society by helping the needy. This program is a step in the direction and we hope to reach out to many more children and ensure their speedy treatment. Early diagnosis and early treatment is the key to a healthier and happier future. Our mission aims to bridge the gap between diagnosis and treatment by helping out in any way we can. Children are the torch bearers of tomorrow and the future of our society. We want to do everything in our capacity to keep their dreams alive and help them lead a productive life. Unfortunately and most often, lack of funds comes in way of their aspirations and dreams to afford a surgical treatment. We are thankful to Being Human – The Salman Khan Foundation in whom we have found the right partner to support our social initiative.”